Women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being highlighted on Church websites and social media channels in March as part of National Women’s History Month. The Church History Department is featuring women from Church history in its Church History Daily feature on its website. The posts include images and short stories that can be shared on Facebook and Twitter.
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A recent post said: “Amy Brown Lyman served as Relief Society general president from 1940 to 1945. Belle Spafford led the Relief Society from 1945 to 1974. Both were major influences in shaping how the Church seeks to accomplish its work today.”
Church History’s Women of Conviction series also highlights the stories of sisters who served, leaving a legacy for future generations. A recent article shares the story of Mabel Jones Gabbott who wrote numerous articles and poems during her long career with the Church magazines. She also wrote the words to 16 Primary songs and four Church hymns.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015, marks the Relief Society’s 173rd birthday. The general presidency of the Relief Society recently reflected on the anniversary and the purpose of the women’s organization that represents nearly 7 million women worldwide in a Church News article.
Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, and other Church leaders have been sharing thoughts on women in Church history on Facebook. “As you can imagine, there are many days that I feel the weight of my calling. During such times, I draw strength from those steadfast women who have served before me, including the extraordinary Emma Smith,” said Sister Burton. Smith was the wife of Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Church.
Sister Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, told the story of a sewing kit, an heirloom that belonged to her great-grandmother, on her Facebook page. Sister Bonnie Oscarson, Young Women general president, wrote about one of her heroes, Ruth May Fox, a former Young Women president and poet, on her Facebook page.
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president said on her Facebook page, "One of my favorite hymns is 'Carry On', which also happens to be written by one of my heroes, Ruth May Fox. Sister Fox was the third Young Women general president, a mother to 12 children, a poet, and a suffragette! Her motto was "The kingdon of God or nothing". I love what she stood for!" .
Some of the Church’s Mormon Newsroom websites from countries around the world also provided coverage of events that were held to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, 2015. In the Dominican Republic, the Relief Society hosted a gathering of 1,250 women to honor local female government leaders. An article on the Relief Society was posted on the Canada Newsroom site. The Newsroom site in Australia also featured a story on the Relief Society. “Mormon women belong to one of the world’s largest women’s organisations,” it said.
Women, young women and girls 8 years old and older will gather at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 28, for the general women’s session, the first session of the 185th Annual General Conference.
To join the conversation about women in the Church, follow the #LDSWomen, #LDSHistory and #ShareGoodness hashtags on social media channels.